Quality schools, good paying jobs and health care are commonly found in similar geographic “higher opportunity” areas, so access to these opportunities is more difficult for Dallas County’s low-to-moderate income households.

For every dollar earned by a White worker in Dallas County, the average Black and Hispanic workers earn only 54 and 58 cents respectively.

The two maps below show how people of color make up the majority of the residents on the West, South, and East sides of Dallas and also have median household incomes far below those of wealthier white residents on the North Side.

To better understand and correct existing inequities, CPPP developed a number of policy recommendations to improve access to opportunity for marginalized communities. Improving opportunity is multifaceted and requires policymakers to make a host of changes to enable residents to realize their full potential. A few of the policy recommendations are:

To improve socioeconomically disadvantaged residents’ outcomes, they need access to good jobs in addition to improved access to child care, affordable health care, housing, and transportation.

To understand the underlying factors that created the opportunity gap for lower-income households, Dallas should perform an assessment of how existing policies, taxation, and spending may negatively impact marginalized communities.

Improving partnerships between businesses and educational institutions will strengthen career pathways

Increasing access to affordable, high-quality child and health care, housing, and transportation for underserved families will lead to healthier, more prosperous families.

The media covered the launch of the Dallas Economic Opportunity Assessment extensively, focusing on various inequalities experienced by communities of color. The Texas Tribune and KERA News highlighted the connection between income and racial segregation. The Dallas Morning News pointed out how the racial disparities extend beyond just income to higher levels of African-American mortality, as well as longer commutes for lower-income area residents. D Magazine focused on the strong evidence of racial inequalities in access to health care based on higher uninsured rates for people of color.

Communities Foundation of Texas is hosting the Dallas Economic Opportunity Workshop on May 8th, with registration here.

At the Center for Public Policy Priorities, we believe in a Texas that offers everyone the chance to compete and succeed in life. We envision a Texas where everyone is healthy, well-educated, and financially secure. We want the best Texas - a proud state that sets the bar nationally by expanding opportunity for all.
CPPP is an independent public policy organization that uses data and analysis to advocate for solutions that enable Texans of all backgrounds
to reach their full potential. We dare Texas to be the best state for
hard-working people and their families.